CLEVELAND — Three Warren men arrested as part of a massive drug investigation last fall have pleaded guilty to federal felony charges for their part in the illegal operation.

Also, a Youngstown man was arrested this month by federal authorities on charges of distributing drugs in Warren in a separate case. Tyron Scott, 23, who was indicted last September on distributing cocaine charges, was arrested Saturday, according to reports.

According to court records, Scott has been on the run since Sept. 3 and wanted on a sealed federal indictment.

These men participated in change-of-plea hearings last week in federal court:

l Marcus Williams, 27, of Warren, on Feb. 2 pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and heroin and distribution of crack cocaine. Williams submitted to a background report before sentencing, which is scheduled at 10 a.m. June 2 before federal Judge Christopher Boyko.

Williams, who is nicknamed “Dub,” was arrested by federal authorities on Sept. 28, 2020, and ordered to remain in custody.

∫ Randall Morgan, 34, of Warren, on Feb. 3 pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and heroin and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Morgan submitted to a background report before sentencing, which is scheduled at 10 a.m. June 2 before federal Judge Christopher Boyko.

Morgan, also known as “June Bug,” was arrested by federal authorities on Sept. 10, 2020, and was ordered to remain in custody.

∫ Matthew Cavin , 30, of Warren, pleaded guilty on Feb. 5 to charges of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and heroin, and he submitted to a background investigation.

Cavin, also known as “Swag,” was remanded into federal custody Oct. 13, 2020, and ordered held until sentencing at 10 a.m. June 8.

Cavin, who lists an address of 2401 Cranwood Drive, also faces state charges of failure to comply, possession of crack cocaine and possession of a fentanyl-related compound in connection with a Sept. 5 police chase. In that case, Cavin is expected to appear for a pretrial hearing Feb. 17 before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay, court records show.

These are the first three convictions from a federal indictment last September that named 11 people accused of dealing narcotics and opioids.

Other cases are pending against Vincent Richardson, 28, of Warren; Del’reno Armstrong, 22, of Warren; Sean King, 33, of Warren; William Crenshaw, 35, of Warren; Kvonn Watson, 26, of Warren; Stashon Williams, 35, of Niles; Jalissa Morgan, 38, of Warren; and Aubrey Adams, 38, of Warren.

According to Sept. 10, 2020, news release, then U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said one of the drug deals included in the indictments led to a fatal overdose.

“This group of individuals brought danger, illegal drugs, and violence to our communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith.

According to court documents, from March 2019 to February 2020, Richardson operated a drug-trafficking organization in the Youngstown-Warren areas with the other 10 listed in the indictment. The indictment states that Richardson supplied the narcotics and other members of the organization conspired to facilitate their drug distribution in the area.

On one occasion, the indictment alleges that Richardson possessed a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

The investigation preceding the indictments was conducted by the DEA, FBI, Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force, the Trumbull County sheriff’s office and its Trumbull Action Group (TAC), and the Warren and Youngstown police departments. Also assisting was the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com